Plymouth Youth Music Ensembles

Plymouth Youth Concert Band

Conductor: Barrie Mills

The Plymouth Youth Concert Band, currently numbering some 38 young players, meets on most Wednesday evenings in term time from 6pm to 8pm at The Soundhouse, Torbridge High School, Miller Way, Estover Plymouth PL6 8UN. The band is directed by Barrie Mills, Instrumental and Vocal Tuition Coordinator for the Music Service and former Director of Music of the Plymouth Royal Marines Band. Players of any wind band instrument, of Grade II standard or above, are welcome to come along. The band repertoire includes traditional band music, music from movies and shows and challenging contemporary stuff.

The band performs regularly in public including numerous city centre appearances. They have played on HMS Albion and supported Plymouth City Council at several prestigious events. They have played on HMS Albion and supported Plymouth City Council at several prestigious evens. They have also provided concerts for both local and national charities. The band will once again be sharing the stage with HMS Drake Royal Navy Volunteer Band for a special Armed Forces Day Concert on 25 June 2011 at St Andrew’s Minster Church. Rehearsals continue on Wednesday 25 May at 6pm.

Plymouth Beginners Youth Orchestra

Conductor: Victoria van der Vliet

The Plymouth Beginners Youth Orchestra is a well-established group for young musicians just beginning their ensemble experience. It is aimed at absolute beginners who want to be part of a real ensemble. Players of all wind and stringed instruments are welcome except for guitarists who have a separate ensemble (see Plymouth Youth Guitar Ensemble). String players should be able to play all four open strings and wind players need to know at least 5 notes. As they progress, players will be given the opportunity to move up to the next level of ensemble, the Plymouth Intermediate Youth Orchestra. The orchestra meets on alternate Tuesdays at Hyde Park Infants School, Hyde Park Road, Mutley, Plymouth, PL3 4RH from 4.15pm to 5.15pm continuing on Monday 23 May.

Plymouth Intermediate Youth Orchestra

Conductor: Victoria van der Vliet
Assistant: Barrie Mills

The Plymouth Intermediate Youth Orchestra was launched in January 2007 and currently has over 25 members aged 8 to 16.

Players of all orchestral instruments are invited to join this ensemble, from those with at least one years’ experience on their instrument to players with up to Grade VI ABRSM. The Plymouth Intermediate Youth Orchestra is established as an ensemble with true potential to grow in the coming years as members gain more skills. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings from 4.30pm to 5.30pm at The Soundhouse, Torbridge High School, Miller Way, Estover Plymouth PL6 8UN.

The orchestra is directed by Victoria van der Vliet, assisted by Barrie Mills, who both have considerable experience with youth ensembles. Weekly rehearsals continue on Wednesday 25 May.

South West Camerata

Creative Director: Fiona McLean

The ensemble consists of string players only, who have that extra 'something' about their playing. A minimum level of Grade 7, or equivalent in repertoire, is required for players to be invited to join. South West Camerata. The orchestra will be rehearsing at the Salvation Army buildings, near Plymouth train station on 28 May, 11 June and the 25 June 2011 from 10am to 2pm as follows:

• 10am current and new Camerata players (grade 6+)
• 12.30pm Camerata and Tutti combined (this session is especially relevant for classical string players who will aim to be working towards grade 6 level by September 2011)

This is a regional ensemble and subscriptions are paid by members. PYMS provides bursaries for eligible players who attend Plymouth LA maintained schools. For further details about the bursary scheme, contact Gwyn Price.

Plymouth Youth Guitar Ensemble

Leaders: Tony Clarke and Stephen Connolly

Plymouth Youth Music Service has established an exciting opportunity for young guitarists who have progressed beyond being absolute beginners. The guitar ensemble is led by Tony Clarke and Steve Connolly who have been key figures in the recent developments. Such has been the success of the group that they have now divided into two ensembles. ‘Melody Makers’ for the more experienced players and ‘Tune Twiddlers’ for those having their first experience of a guitar ensemble. The guitar ensembles meet from 4.15pm to 5.30pm alternately at Eggbuckland Vale Primary School, Charfield Drive, Eggbuckland Plymouth PL6 5PS continuing with Melody Makers on Thursday 26 May.

Plymouth Soundhouse Youth Brass Band

Conductor: Emma Heard

Soundhouse Youth Brass is based at the Soundhouse, Torbridge High School, Miller Way, Estover Plymouth PL6 8UN. It provides a brass band for young brass players in Plymouth. The band meets on Thursdays throughout the year from 6pm to 7.30pm and is directed by Emma Heard, an experienced music teacher and brass player. Players of all ability levels are welcome, even absolute beginners. Competitions and concert appearances are very much part of the band’s programme. Rehearsals continue on Thursday 26 May.

Plymouth Youth Big Band

Directors: Peter Twyman and Gavin Martin

Plymouth Youth Big Band is now firmly established as a PYMS ensemble welcoming suitable players from all Plymouth schools. The band has made a number of successful appearances at events including Young Motion Plymouth, the 2010 Barbican Jazz Festival and Buckfast Abbey. They will be returning in the 2011 Barbican Jazz Festival. The Big Band is an instrument-specific balanced ensemble and currently has vacancies for trombone, a staff notation reading bass-guitarist and trumpet players only. Rehearsals continue at Lipson Community College on Tuesday 24 May.

Plymouth Junior Steel Band

Leader: Leroy Clarke

Assistant: Joe Friend

Plymouth Steel Band was formed in 2004. The band has taken part in many high profile events, including regular appearances at Lord Mayors Day procession and Notting Hill Carnival. Rehearsals for the Junior Steel Band are open to young people from all Plymouth Schools. They enjoyed their first public performance in the PYMS Annual Ensembles Concert, ‘Inspiration!’, at the Guildhall on 22 January. No previous steel pan experience is necessary to join, just lots of enthusiasm! Rehearsals take place (10 per term) on Tuesdays from 5pm to 7pm in the main arena at The Soundhouse, Torbridge High School, Miller Way Estover Plymouth PL6 8UN continuing on 24 May.

The Plymouth Youth Music Service Annual Concert

For all PYMS ensembles, performances opportunities are very much a part of the experience and they will all be appearing in the next annual PYMS concert on 21 January 2012 in St Andrew’s Minster Church and at other venues in the near future.

Contacts:

For more details or information on any of these ensembles, please contact:

• Gwyn Price, Head of Music Service on 01752 307446 or email gwyn.price@plymouth.gov.uk
• LA Instrumental and Vocal Tuition Coordinator, Barrie Mills, on 01752 307446, mobile 07789 923398 or email youthmusic@plymouth.gov.uk

For more information visit our Plymouth Youth Music Service page or download an enrolment form below.

Student enrolment form [56KB]

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